GOVERNOR YAHAYA BELLO’S REMARKABLE IMPACT IN THE PLACEMENT OF WOMEN IN GOVERNANCE

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Written by Faith Abdulgafar, MLC TV

Governor Yahaya Bello’s present administration stands out for his visionary approach to embracing and setting the precedent of empowering women in critical political positions in Kogi State.

Since taking the oath of office on January 27th, 2015, under the flag of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Yahaya Bello has embarked on an innovative approach to governance, departing from conventional norms.

On assumption, he swung into action by outlining five fundamental thematic areas in his administration’s blueprint: Education, health, agriculture, infrastructural development, security, and others. Among these priorities, he placed particular emphasis on the inclusion of women in governance, driven by his conviction that women have the capacity and credibility to deliver on any given assignment which translated his intentions into actions.

Upon assuming office, he appointed Dr. Folashade Ayoade Arike as the first female Secretary to the State Government (SSG) ever. Chief Press Secretary, Petra Akinti, and Subsequently, more women were designated as Commissioners, Special Advisers, and Senior Special Assistants to man-sensitive quarters.

Furthermore, Governor Bello entrusted more women with leadership roles in ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). This level of women’s involvement in governance till days represents a historic transformation in Kogi State’s administrative landscape.

Governor Bello breaking the tradition, went a step further, at different times, appointed three women to head the State’s civil service, a pivotal position that had previously been the domain of men exclusively.

The appointees, Mrs. Hassana O.k Lawal, Mrs. Deborah Ogunmola, and Mrs. Hannah Onyinoyi Odiyo, have continued to serve to date.

In the state’s twenty-one council areas, and state assembly, Governor Yahaya Bello ensured that women contested for and assumed the vice-chairmen roles, collectively shaping the leadership of their respective local government areas (LGAs). An effort worthy of commendation as Kogi women are no longer relegated to mere applause and dance during campaign events but have been given a voice, and significance under Governor Bello’s leadership.

Governor Bello didn’t just stop there but took it above the bare, ensuring that women and young ladies sought positions such as head councilors in their respective LGAs in all twenty-one (21) local government councils.

Additionally, women achieved victory in the last legislative elections, winning two seats, and positioning them as active contributors to decision-making in the Kogi House of Assembly.

Today, one will not be wrong to say that the leadership of Governor Yahaya Bello has surpassed the agitation for 35% Beijing affirmative action for women in governance and effectively transformed the women’s perception from being subservient to male leadership to empowered, respected figures capable of meaningful contributions to their homeland’s progress.

His achievement in elevating women to top positions in his administration is historic. He stands tall without equality in governance for consistently reaffirming that women are equally, if not more, capable than men in various roles.
The transformative perception of his ignited his deliberate action and fairness to women and gave them the long-anticipated chance in political participation they aspired which for many transcended passive spectatorship.

Governor Bello’s hundred percent decision to empower women to confidently pursue any desired role is worthy of note. As women today in the history of Kogi State have assumed high-ranking positions, and have continued to foster greater harmony, unity, and progress in his administration.

While is impossible to state all that he has been able to achieve through women I will not forget to draw the attention of the public as to why he was given an award for he for she, because of his outstanding performance, and for him to have passed Beijing affirmative of 35 percent, that prompted national and even the International women folks to give him an award for he for she award among many others.

We urged the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate Usman Ododo if eventually elected to continue to project and involve women in his policies just like the administration of Governor Yahaya Bello.

And not just engaging women, but sensitive positions like having more commissioners as women for the first time let’s hope if elected he will have among local government women as chairpersons which will make his presentation as governor to be more accepted because it will be in the history of Kogi that he also come to break the gene by making sure a woman mounts a local government as a chairperson

We also appealed to the APC candidate Usman Ododo if elected he should ensure to have more women in the Kogi State House of Assembly and also to give women an enabling environment to strive in his cabinet as the present administration has done.

We appeal to the APC candidate Usman Ododo that if elected there should be a strict penalty for women violators and rapists.

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